2023 Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers – Preview and Predictions

2023-06-02 11:04:34

As in 2018, the Stanley Cup final opposes 2 franchises in search of the 1st coronation of their history in NHL. Defeated by Washington at the final stage 5 years ago, the Vegas Golden Knights this time come up once morest the Florida Panthers whose journey in these 2023 playoffs inspires respect.

Vegas has the ice advantage in a series with Act I scheduled for Saturday. But the Panthers remain on 8 away wins.

The Panthers first overthrew the best team of the regular season, the impressive Boston Bruins, following trailing 3-1 in the series.

Then, Florida then flew over the debates both once morest Toronto (4-1) and once morest Carolina (4-0 in the Conference final). Thanks above all to 2 men: American striker Matthew Tkachuk, author of 3 winning goals once morest Carolina, and goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky (93.5% saves in 14 games in these playoffs).

Two luxury “substitutes”

Not a starter at the start of the playoffs, the Russian goalkeeper took the place of Alex Lyon following match no. 3 once morest Boston, to finally prove decisive in the final series at 34 years old. His vis-à-vis Adin Hill (27) also experienced the same situation, taking advantage of Laurent Broissot’s injury in match no. 2 of the 2nd round once morest Edmonton (4-2 in the series).

Hill also shone for his first steps in the playoffs: the Canadian posted 93.7% saves in 11 appearances, with 2 shutouts. But it is especially in attack that Vegas impresses with 65 goals scored in 17 matches, including 10 for William Karlsson and 9 for Jonathan Marchessault.

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Karlsson and Marchessault, 2 of the 6 survivors of the 2018 final

The Swede and the Canadian are also two of the 6 “survivors” of the team which had reached the final during the inaugural season of the Golden Knights (in 2017/18, with Zugois Luca Sbisa in their ranks). Their thirst for revenge is unparalleled in the Florida camp: the Panthers’ only previous final dates back to 1996. Florida then lost 4-0 to Colorado.

Tkachuk future MVP?

The Panthers nevertheless had a lot to be forgiven for when it came to this 2022/23 season. Best team in the league in the 2021/22 regular championship, they were then swept 4-0 by Tampa Bay in the 2nd round of the playoffs following winning, in the 1st round once morest Washington, their 1st series since 1996.

The arrival of Matthew Tkachuk changed everything. Hired in July 2022 as part of a big trade with Calgary, the 25-year-old winger had 109 points in the regular season and is at 21 (9 goals, 12 assists) in these series. He and Bobrovsky are currently the favorites for the title of MVP of these playoffs.

Kane had hip surgery

Patrick Kane (34) will not be operational this fall when the NHL resumes. The American striker of the New York Rangers underwent a hip operation which will immobilize him for several months. After nearly 16 seasons in Chicago, Kane joined the Rangers in late February. He now finds himself free of any contract.

NHL, playoffs, finale (04.06)

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